The Little Model by Norman Rockwell

March 29, 1919 Issue of Collier's

The Little Model, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of Collier's published March 29, 1919.

This was the second cover by Rockwell to appear on Collier's and the second of four in 1919. Only four Rockwell covers were published by Collier's, all in 1919. Rockwell only submitted to this smaller magazine after the publishers of more popular magazines had declined to publish that particular cover illustration.

Rockwell's preference and his first choice of publication was The Saturday Evening Post. He believed, and his career showed, that the cover of the Post was America's biggest showcase window for artists.

The original oil on canvas painting, 30 x 16 inches or 76 x 40.5 cm, is part of a private collection.

This painting also appears in three Rockwell commentary books. It appears:

on page 73 of Norman Rockwell: Illustrator by Arthur L. Guptill,

as illustration 103 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and

on page 14 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

The Little Model

This young lady is enjoying a nice game of pretend. Only she and her dog get to play this time.

Actually she looks to be a housekeeper. She wears a short dress suitable for housework. Her stockings have had the knees worked right out of them. And her boots look well worn. Her hat is old and worn. Another giveaway is the broom in her hand!

She is no stranger to work.

At this moment, however, she is a fashion model.

Rockwell has posed her in almost exactly the same posture as the fashion model on the poster behind her.

In her mind, her work dress has become an evening gown, her old hat a fashionable cap, her work boots a pair of high heels and her old shawl a fur drape. Her broom has been transformed into a decorative walking stick.

Her dog appears to want her to quit daydreaming and start sweeping, so he can once again harass the broom.

Her dog appears to want her to quit daydreaming and start sweeping, so he can once again harass the broom.

This painting was only one of numerous Norman Rockwell magazine covers;

Imagination is a powerful force. Rockwell gives us a glimpse into its light side.

Norman Rockwell conveys this simple scene to us in this illustration just as clearly as if we were standing there watching it unfold before us.

The Owner of Norman Rockwell's The Little Model on Antiques Roadshow

The owner of this original painting carried it to have it appraised at the Antiques Roadshow episode of January 22, 2012 in Eugene Oregon. No monetary figure is noted in this video, but he appears very pleased with the estimate, which the PBS notes as $500,000 USD. The appraisal was given by Nan Chisholm.

He also states that his wife has a letter to his mother from Rockwell dated from 1971 stating that he estimated the value then at between $10,000 to $15,000 USD. Quite a gain!

The painting came into his family as a gift from the artist himself. His great-grandmother was Norman Rockwell's aunt.

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Norman Rockwell Quotes:

I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to.

No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them!

Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.

Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.

The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.

I can take a lot of pats on the back. I love it when I get admiring letters from people. And, of course, I'd love it if the critics would notice me, too.

You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.